Example French dissertation topic 4:

Assessing the French colonial legacy: A study into contemporary Algerian unrest.

Using predominantly primary research, this dissertation will undertake research in both the south of France and Algiers. Interviewing French natives in both countries as well as native Algerians, it seeks to evaluate underlying prejudices. In addition, it will ask respondents to comment on what they believe to be the on-going moral duties of the French nation to those countries that they hitherto ruled as part of their Empire. This is a challenging dissertation title, the subject matter of which will continue to develop during the undertaking of the research. It accordingly presents the writer with an ability to offer up-to-date analysis on events as they occur and makes the subject matter of the ensuing dissertation readily publishable.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Aldrich, R. (2012). ‘Coming to terms with the colonial past: The French and others’. Arts: Journal of the Sydney University Arts Association, vol. 28, pp. 91-116.
• Dine, P. (2008). ‘Decolonizing the Republic’. Contemporary French and Francophone Studies, vol. 12(2), pp. 173-181.
• Migdalovitz, C. (2011). Algeria: Current issues. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Services.